Water-tube boiler.



Patented June I2, |900. n. w. KNAPP. y WATER TUBE BOILER.

(Application filed July 13, 1899.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 65|,366. Patented luna I2, |900. R. W. KNAPP.

WATER TUBE BUILER.

(Application med .my 1s, web.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Shea! 2.v

Tm.' nanms PETER: CQ., PHOTO-Limo.. wuNlNGTon. b. c.

No. 65I,366. Patented June l2, |900.

R. W. KNAPP.

WATER TUBE BUILER. (Application led July 13, 1899.) l

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

'me onlus Pernis co0 pworouwa., wAsumaroN. uA c.

No. 65I,366.

(No Model.)

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A Patented .lune I2,- |900. R. W. KNAPP.

wATx-:B TUBE BoiLEn.

(Apxzdicatior- 1ed.Ju.1y 13, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Shed 4.

we Ncmms PETERS co., PHoTaLlrHD.,WAsmNQTDMp. n.

No. 65l,366. Pathted lune I2, |900. R. W. KNAPP.

WATER TUBE BOILER.

(Application med July 13, 1899.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets--Sheet 5.

fr@ @Galaad @oo IlllllILllIllullll'llllJ nl TH: Nonms PEYsRs o0.. pHoro-unie.. wAsNlNowN. n. c.

No. 65|,366. Patented Junel2, |900.

R. W. KNAPP. A

WATER TUBE BOILER.

(Application led July 13, 1899.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

M \l mi \l ,Q 'Q "n .TME Nonms PEYERs co. Puoau'mo.. wAsmNs'ruN. D. l:A

No. 65l,366. Patented lune l2, |900.

R. W. KNAPP.

WATER TUBE BUILER.

(Application filed July 13, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

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l N*Uiurrn STATES AAfrnrrr OFFICE.

ROLAND XV. KNAPP, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

WATER-TUBE BOILER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,366, dated June 1,2, 1900.

Application filed July 13, 1899. Serial No. 723,646. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLAND IV. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVater-Tube Boilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myinvention has for its object to generally im provethe construction of so-called watertube boilers; and to this end it consists of the novel devices and combinations of deviceshereinafterdescribed, and defined in the claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompan yingdrawings, wherein like characters ind icate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure lis a view in front elevation, showinga boiler constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a View of the said boiler, partly in rear elevation and partly in vertical section, on the line ci m2 of Fig. 3, with some parts broken away. section taken approximately on theline 003033 of Fig. 1, some parts being broken away. Fig.- Aeis a horizontal section taken approximately on the line 504x401? Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is aviewin front elevation showinga modified form of my improved boiler, some parts being broken away. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of my improved boiler With some parts broken away. Fig. 7 is a horizont-al section taken approximately onl the line x7 :117 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 isa transverse vertical sect-ion taken approxi. mately on the line :Us x8 of Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line a9 x9 of Fig. 8.

In all of the views above noted the outside i casing of the boiler, which would usually be formed of metal plate, has been removed to better illustrate the internal construction of the boiler.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, the numeral l indicates the main or primary drum, which is extended transversely of the boiler and is adapted to contain both water and steam. The drum lis supported by and opens into a pair of depending water-stacks or large'feed-pipes Fig. 3 is a longitudinaly 2, which in turn open at their lower ends one into each of a pair of long tubular Waterdrums or down How-columns 3. Extending horizontally and parallel to each other and to the extended arms 3 is a pair of steamy-return drums 4, which are in the form of long tubes vand open into the said main orprimary drum l above the level of the water z.

course be understood that any greater number, or even a less number, of the drums 3 and 4 and stacks 2 may be employed.

. A closely-spaced series of transversely-extended manifold pipes or tubes 5 open from yand are secured to the upper pair of steamdrums 4, as best shown in Fig. 3. Opening at their lower ends into each of the Waterdrums 3 is a series of closely-spaced vertical feed-tubes G, which, as will be presently noted,

constitute the sides of the fire-box. The opposite pairs of tubes (i are connected at their upper ends by transversely-extended and closely-spaced manifold-tubes 7, which constitute the top of the fire-box. The manifold tubes 5 and 7, which stand directly in vertical line, are connected by steam-generating tubes or pipes 8. These tubes or pipes 8 are formed by sections that extend approximately at right angles to each other and approximately at an angle of forty-five degrees to the horizontal. As shown, the section of the tubes 8 are joined by elbows 9, although they might be formed of single pieces of tubing bent at their elbows. All of the upper sections of the said tubes 8 extend parallel to each other, and likewise all of the lower sections extend parallel one to the other. A horizontally-extended baiiie-plate or partition 10 is extended around the tubes 8, just below their elbows 9, so as to form a partition which will cause the flame or products of combustion to pass completely under the same and into -the opening or chamber indicated at ll before coming into contact with the upper sections of said tubes 3.y

Severalof the tubes 8, or rather several transverse series of the same, which are at the extreme right in Fig. 3, instead of joining with manifold-pipes 7 are extendedv on downward and united to manifold-pipes 7a, that are directly connected to the longitudinallyextended Water drums 3. Again, several transverse series of the tubes 8,'which extend IOO to the extreme left in Fig. 3, or at the front end of the boiler,lare connected to manifoldtubes 7b and 7c, the former of which are connected by a laterally-spaced pair of tubes 12 with the forward ends of the water-drums 3, while the said manifold-tubes 7c are 'connected by tubes 13 with the forward end of the steam-drums 4. The upper ends of the said pair of vertical tubes 12 open into the ends of a transverse manifold-tube 14, while the lower ends of the vertical tubes 13 open into a similar transversely-extended manifold-tube 15. The manifold-tubes 7b and 14.- are closely spaced, while the said manifoldtubes 7c and l5 are closely placed. A closelyplaced series of vertical tubes 1G extend between the transverse manifold-tubes 14C and 15. Preferably the tubes 16 are bent, as shown at 17, to provide for expansion. As

shown, the adjacent tubes 16 are bent the one ati'tsupper end and the other at its lower end, as best shown in Fig.

The grate 18 is suitably secured, as shown, by brackets 19 on the water-drums 3, and the combustion-chamber is of course formed immediately above this grate 1S and below the closely-spaced series ot' transversely-extended manifold-tubes 7. Oi course if oil or liquid fuel or a gas were to be used with the boiler the grate 18 would be dispensed with and suitable burners substituted therefor.

A transversely-extended manifold-tube 21 extends between the water-drums 3, just inward of the water-stacks 2, and another transversely-extended manifold-tube 22 is connected to `the main or primary drum l, above the water-level thereof, by means of several short tubes or pipes 23. A closely-spaced series of slightly-bent but upright tubes 24 connect the manifold-tubes 21 and 22 and Iill in the space between the water columns or stacks 2.

In the illustration given water is supplied to the boiler through an inlet-pipe 25, which opens into the upper end of one of the water columns or stacks 2, as shown in Fig. 3. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, steam is delivered from the upper portion of the drum l through a pipe 26.

Vith the apparatus above described the action will be substantially as follows: A fire being lighted on the grate 18, the flame will pass rearward, or as indicated by the arrow marked y on Fig. 3, and will be caused to take a zigzag course between the .vertical sections of the several rear end series of generatingtubes S and will then pass into the opening or chamber indicated at 27. rlhe flame will of course be stopped by the closely-positioned series of vertical tubes 24 and will then be directed forward, as indicated by the arrow y', and will be caused to take a zigzag course between the lower inclined sections of the tubes S. The natural tendency of the flame or hot gases is of course to rise; but this tendency is nearly or quite overcome by the ini clination of the said tube-sections, which on account of their incline continuously deflect the said flame or gases downward, with the result that they will be passed between the said inclined tube-sections on approximatelyhorizontal lines. This feature of construction I consider broadly new, and it is of great importance, as it distributes the flame orburning gases evenly'over all parts of the water-tubes. After passing between the lower sections of the water-tubes 8 the products of combustion or flame will pass into the opening or chamber l1 and from thence will be turned backward, as indicated by the arrow y2 in Fig. 3, and will be caused to take a zigzag course between the u pper inclined sections of the tubes 8 and will be again subjected to the downwardlydetlecting action of the said inclined sections, with a repetition of the result just noted. After passing through the upper sec tions of the said water-tubes the flame or product of combustion will pass, as indicated by the arrow 1,1/3 on Fig. 3, between the bottom of the main drum 1 and the adjacent upper sections of the tubes 24, and from th-en-ce they will bc carried off in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. (Not shown.)

The reversely inclined or bent tubes 8 may expand unevenl y without bad results, and this is a very essential feature in a boiler of this character. The manifold-tubes 5, 7., 7,

7", and 7c are shown as provided with removable plugs 29, which when removed permit the insertion of a flue-cleaner into the tubes 8. Also, as shown, the tubes 24 are provided in their ends with removable plugs 30, which when removed permit the ready insertion `of a iiue-cleaner- Again, the transverse manifold-tubes 7, 7, 7b, 7C, 14, 15, 21, and 22 are shown as provided with end plugs 3l, which when removed permit the said tubes to bc cleaned. The so-called water-drums 7 3 are also shown as provided in their forward ends with openings Vclosed by ordinary hand lids, plates, or covers 32.

In Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, a constructionis illustrated which embodies many of the features of construction above described .in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, but which is, however, a more intricate construction, being what may be well termed a duplex water-tube boiler, involving a `duplication of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to `4, inclusive, in bisymmetrical arrangement. In this construction the main or primary steam IOC IIO

and water tank a is extended from front lto v of a long transversely-extended water-drum a3, which in turn opens on each side of its center into one of a pair of parallel and longitudinally-extended drums or supply-tubes a4. Each water drum or tube a4 is provided with several-,as shown, two-short and tra-nsversely-extended stub tubes or drums a5, the y inner ends of which are spaced apart to make room for the grate b, which is suitably secured between them and immediately below the primary drum ct. The forward members of the so-called stub-drums7 a5 are connected by large and inclined downtlow-tubes a6 with the lower and forward portion of the primary drum a. Aplurality'of vertical tubes c and c open upward from the central portion of the long transversely-extended drum a3, said tubes being closely spaced, so that they constitute a portion of the back wall of the lire-box or combustion-chamber b', which is formed just above the grate b. As shown, the two central tubes c' open into the bottom of the primary drum d, while the tubes c open into t-he rear ends of a series of longitudinally-extended manifold-tubes c2. At their forward ends the manifoldtubes cgopen into a short transverse tube c3, which in turn is connected to the forward and bottom portion of the primary drum a by a short depending' tube c". (Best shown in Figs. 5, G, and 9.) Longitudinally-extended series ot manifold-tubesfconnect the three steam-drums a' on either side of the main drum a. The twov stub-drums a5 are connected together and to the corresponding end of the long drum a3 bythe longitudinallyextended series of manifold-tubes f. As shown, there are four of the vertical watertubes c on each side of the two water-tubes c, and themanifold-tubes c2, to which these tubes c are connected, are in turn connected to the four corresponding upper manifoldtubes f, each by a series of inclined tubes or lues g. The innermost lowei1 manifold-tubes f are connected to the lower ends of a series of generating-tubes g. These two series of tubes g areinclined toward each other and toward the center of the boiler and are` then overlapped in close engagement at their central section, so as to form a top to the {irebox, and then are inclined or turned upward, so as to extend parallel to the corresponding inclined tubes g, and are then inthe illustration given tapped into orconnected to the fifth manifold-tube f, counted from the center of the boiler outward. Thus the tubes g' are spaced apart approximately the diameter of the pipes themselves at their upper and lower inclined extremities, but are placed tight together at their overlapped and horizontallyextended intermediate portions. The remaining manifold-tubes f and f are connected in upper and lower pairs by a series of inclined generating-tubes g2. The upper and lower sections of these tubes g2 are inclined reversely at approximately ninety degrees to each other or forty-live degrees to a horizontal, and horizontal baille-plates or partitions lo separate the said upper and lower sections, as best shown in Fig. 8. The several series `made up by the tubes g, g', and g2 are so set `of the upper portions of the inner series of tubes g.

At the sides ot the boiler, extended longitudinally of the same or from front to rear of the boiler, are upper and lower manifold tubes of large size, (indicated, respectively, by the characters n and n.) These manifold tubes n and n/are connected, respectively, to the outer ends of the upper drums a and to the outer ends of the lower drums t3 and (t5 by short connecting-pipes 'n2 and n3. The tubes n and a' are connected by closely-placed vertical tubes n, and they are also connected byalaterally-spaced series of L-shaped tubes 91.5. In the illustration given triangular coils n are placed in the opening or chamber m7, formed between the cooperating series of tubes a4 and a5..

Under the action of the heat the circulation of the water will of course always be-upward through the so-called generatingtubes, upon which the flame or products of IOO combustion act-directly, thus giving a very rapid circulation. On the other hand', the downward flow of the water through the socalled downliow-columns (these downiiow columns or tubes in all cases being relatively large as compared with the generating-tubes and being located remote from the direct action of the flame or products of combustion) will be slow, so that the sediment will be deposited to a very large extent in the horizontal water-drums, from which it may be readily removed.

Referring again to the construction illustrated in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, attention is called to the fact that the staggered vertical lower ends of the several rear generating.-4

tubes serve to thoroughly mix or commingle the fuel-gases before they. reach the expanded portion 27 of the combustion-chamber. This action has its obvious importance.

With the construction illustrated in Figs. i

5 to Ail, inclusive, the llames will be drawn in two directions, or, in other Words, the products ot combustion willbe divided and passed one part toward one side and the other part toward the other side of the boiler, and the courses which they will take in passing between the steam-generating tubes will be .substantially as indicated by the several arrows marked on Fig. S. All the advantages incident to the inclination of the various steamgenerating tubes and to other features of coustruction particularly noted 'in connection with the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to IIO 4, inclusive, are found in this arrangement illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive. This latter described construction is, however, the better adapted for boilers of Very high capacity.

Both of the constructions illustrated, but particularly the latter noted, are especially adapted for use as marine boilers, inasmuch as they are capable of bei-ng spread out and located close to the floor-line, so that their centers of gravity are thrown very low.

By the described arrangement of the steamgenerating tubes the amount of heating-surface exposed to the flame or products of combustion is increased to the maximum and the surface is exposed in the most advantageous manner. Again, with the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, the disposition of the steam-generating tubes and of the fire-grate makes it possible to use a main or primary drum or boiler of very large size and at the same time to keep its center of gravity very low. It also makes possible easy access to the manifold and generating ftubes for the purpose of inspection or removal. The feed-water coils ab' illustrated in this construction lead from a pump or other source of water-supply and lead to the main or primary boiler, this latter connectiou not being shown in the drawings.

From the foregoing description and statements made it will of course be understood that my invention is capable of xnany modifications not herein specifically mentioned. The so-called horizontal baffle-plates or partitions k would in actual practice preferably be made in sections, so as to permit of the .ready removal of any one or more sections of the generating-tubes.

"What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

rection of the draft, and the horizontally-extended partition or baffle-plate l0 separating the upper and lower sections of said generating-tubes 8, substantially as described.

3. Ina boiler,the combination with asteamdrum and a water-drum, the former located above the latter, of a series of manifold-tubes connected with said steam-drum, another series of manifold-tubes connected withV said water-drum, and the several series of generating-tubes located in the combustion-chamber or draft-passage formed between the upper and lower series of said manifold-tubes, which generating-tubes are inclined downward in the direction of the draft, substantially as described.

4. In aboiler,the combination with a steamdrum and a water-drum, the former located above the latter; of a transverse series of manifold-tubes connected to said steam-drum, a lower transverse series of manifold-tubes connected to said water-drum, the several series of generating-tubes connecting the upper and lower series of said manifold-tubes, said generatingtubes being reversely inclined in the direction of the draft, at their upper and lower sections, and a horizontal partition or baffle-plate separating the upper and lower sections of said generating-tubes, substantially as described.

5. In a boiler, the combination with the steam-drinn 1 having the pair of depending water-stacks 2 opening at their lower ends into the horizontal Water-drums 3, said drum being also provided with the pair of horizontal steam-return drums 4, of the series of manifolrltubes 5 connecting said returndrums 4, the series of transverse, manifoldtubes 7 connected to said water-drums 3 at their ends, by the Vvertical tubes 6, the plurality of reversely-inclined series of generating-tubes S connecting the said manifoldtubes 5 and 7, and the horizontal dividingpartition or baffle-plate l0 separating the upper and lower sections of said tubes 8, but leaving communicating passages to and from the horizontally extended draft passages formed above and below said partition 10, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROLAND W. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

MABEL M. MCGRORY, F. D. MERCHANT.

IOO 

